Multiple Sclerosis Part 2

Praise the Lord, everyone!

Last month I started a three part series on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and I pray that this has been a blessing to those who may be battling this illness.

Part two will discuss the causes of MS. Doctors are still not sure what exactly causes MS in people. But there are some things that seem to make this disease more likely in some versus others. There are people with certain genes that carry a higher risk of getting MS. Smoking can be a factor in developing MS. Some people have developed MS after having a viral infection such as Epstein Barr Virus, or Human Herpes Virus 6. Both viruses cause the immune system to stop working normally. These infections may trigger the disease or cause a relapse. Saints, there is no definitive answer as to what causes MS.

If you have any of the symptoms listed in part one, at least three are ways to get diagnosed. Know that diagnosing MS is hard, symptoms can be the same as other nerve disorders. If your doctor suspects you have MS, they will send you to a specialist called a neurologist who treats brain and nerve disorders. The neurologist will ask for your medical history and check for key signs of nerve damage in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

There is no single test to determine if you have MS, your doctor will use different tests such as the following:

Blood test to rule out diseases that can cause similar symptoms such as lyme disease and AIDS.

Check balance, coordination, vision, and other functions to see how well your nerves are working

MRI test to look over detailed images of the structure of your body

Analysis of the fluid that cushion the brain and spinal cord called Cerebrospinal fluid. People with MS have specific proteins in their Cerebrospinal fluid.

Evoked potentials to measure electrical activity in the brain

Saints of God, it is important that if you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to get tested. Do what your doctors instruct you to do and know that you are not alone, God is with you.